Criteria Conformity and Environmental Impact Assessment in Qaemshahr Landfill using Leopold Matrix and RIAM

In regard to the serious consequences of improper waste disposal, environmental impact assessment techniques are used to evaluate the different scenarios for waste management and minimize the negative impacts. The aim of this study was the use of Iranian Matrix and RIAM to minimize environmental impacts in Qaemshahr landfill and presenting suitable methods for efficient waste management Matrial& In this study, the existing condition of Qaemshahr landfill was compared with human’s environmental criteria for MSW landfills based on Department of the Environment (DOE) of Iran. Meanwhile, EIA of Qaemshahr solid waste landfill was carried out with two methods, RIAM and Leopold Matrix. The upgrading of existing landfill, reconstruction with compost plant and relocation of landfill were evaluated according to physiochemical, physicochemical (PC), biological-ecological (BE), sociological/cultural (SC), economical/operational (EO) economical-social and cultural components. The results showed that Qaemshahr landfill lacks the environmental criteria for MSW landfills. Also, the RIAM and Iranian matrix results indicated that upgrading of existing landfill, construction of compost plant, relocation and construction of the sanitary landfill have total environmental scores as -793 and -2.26, -387 and -2.22, -69 and -0.76 respectively. It is noticeable that the current process of landfill in Qaemshahr will lead to harmful health consequences. So, construction of landfill space (the third option) was chosen as the most suitable option with as little harm as possible on the environment.